The year 2006 is destined to be a great year for BMG shooters and would-be shooters.  Three new rifles scheduled to be released allow choices never seen before.  Each gun will have pro's and con's depending upon what you are looking for and are priced ~$3000 apart.

Below is an edited transcript of emails exchanged between myself and BGA.  (Color added for my emphasis.)  Can anyone contribute more information regarding the semi-auto Viper?

Subject: semi-auto? ME: Hello, I saw a comment online mentioning a semi-auto model. Is this slated to be a 2006/2007 release? BGA: We have a semi auto, but it is still being tested to insure it meets our standards. We think it will be available sometime this summer. ME: Playing cards close to the chest. I understand there are reasons for that. Is there any information you can release at this time? Or if you already did, where can I find it? BGA: The semi auto prototypes look like the Viper. They are gas operated bolt action guns, with fixed barrels. To my knowledge, there is no information out yet. Just invision the current Viper with a clip in front of the Trigger Group. Other than the clip, there are no cosmetic differences in appearance.

Barrett M82a1, MSRP $7750



BGA semi-auto Viper, MSRP $unk
Semi-auto Viper photo not available, single shot photo shown



EDM semi-auto Windrunner, MSRP $8250



Serbu BFG-50A, estimated MSRP $5000
proto-type photo shown

Any more news on the semi's from BGA?

No further news at this time.  I'm holding my breath because I think the semi-auto Viper will be a great gun at a great price.  In fact, each of these new rifles will definately change the semi-auto BMG landscape.  I think we'll see that having a military contract doesn't always mean you have the best product.